Article 5 Other Provisions Applicable

1Chapter 3.5 was added to Part 13 by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961.

CHAPTER 3.5. STAMPS AND METER MACHINES.1

Article 1. Use of Stamps and Impressions

30161. Tax payment by use of stamps and impressions. Except for the use or consumption of cigarettes by other than a licensed distributor, and as may be authorized under the provisions of Section 30165, the tax imposed by this part with respect to distributions of cigarettes shall be paid by distributors through the use of stamps or meter impressions. The board shall furnish stamps for sale and provide for the sale of meter register settings for metering machines approved by the board.

Text of section operative through December 31, 2004

30162. Design; manner of affixing. (a) Stamps and meter impressions shall be of the designs, specifications and denominations as may be prescribed by the board. The board shall prescribe by regulation the method and manner in which stamps or meter impressions are to be affixed to packages of cigarettes and may provide for the cancellation of stamps or meter impressions.

(b) This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2005, and as of that date is repealed.

Note.—SEC. 6. of Stats. 2004. Ch. 822 (AB 3092), in effect September 27, 2004, states, It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Board of Equalization is authorized to exercise its authority, as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, and as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, with regard to cigarette stamps and meter impressions in a manner that does not affect commerce within this state.

Text of section operative January 1, 2005

30162. Design; manner of affixing. (a) Stamps and meter impressions shall be of the designs, specifications, and denominations as may be prescribed by the board. Stamps and meter impressions shall be generated by a technology capable of being read by a scanning or similar device and shall be encrypted with, at a minimum, the following information:

(1) The name and address of the distributor affixing the stamp or meter impression.

(2) The date the stamp or meter impression was affixed.

(3) The denominated value of the stamp or meter impression.

(b) The board shall prescribe by regulation the method and manner in which stamps or meter impressions are to be affixed to packages of cigarettes and may provide for the cancellation of stamps or meter impressions.

Note.—SEC. 6. of Stats. 2004. Ch. 822 (AB 3092), in effect September 27, 2004, states, It is the intent of the Legislature that the State Board of Equalization is authorized to exercise its authority, as set forth in subdivision (a) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as amended by Section 1 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, and as set forth in subdivision (b) of Section 30162 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as added by Section 2 of Chapter 881 of the Statutes of 2002, with regard to cigarette stamps and meter impressions in a manner that does not affect commerce within this state.

30163. Affixed to packages. (a) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an appropriate stamp shall be affixed to, or an appropriate meter impression shall be made on each package of cigarettes prior to the distribution of the cigarettes.

(b) No stamp or meter impression may be affixed to, or made upon, any package of cigarettes if any one of the following occurs:

(1) The package does not comply with all requirements of the Federal Cigarette Labeling and Advertising Act (15 U.S.C. Sec. 1331 and following) for the placement of labels, warnings, or any other information upon a package of cigarettes that is to be sold within the United States.

(2) The package is labeled "For Export Only," "U.S. Tax Exempt," "For Use Outside U.S.," or similar wording indicating that the manufacturer did not intend that the product be sold in the United States.

(3) The package, or a package containing individually stamped packages, has been altered by adding or deleting the wording, labels, or warnings described in paragraph (1) or (2).

(4) The package was imported into the United States after January 1, 2000, in violation of Section 5754 of Title 26 of the United States Code.

(5) (A) The package bears a cigarette brand name which is a registered U.S. trademark of a participating manufacturer and the package was imported by anyone other than the participating manufacturer of that cigarette brand.

(B) For purposes of this paragraph, "participating manufacturer" has the same meaning as defined in paragraph (1) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code and in Section II(jj) of the Master Settlement Agreement described in Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code.

(c) Pursuant to its authority under Section 30148, the board shall revoke the license issued to a distributor that is determined to be in violation of this section.

(d) A violation of subdivision (b) shall constitute unfair competition under Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1998, Ch. 292 (SB 2134), in effect August 13, 1998, substituted "Except as otherwise provided in this section, an" for "An" at the beginning of the section and added "No stamp or . . . of this section." as the second sentence. Stats. 1999, Ch. 935 (SB 702), in effect October 10, 1999, renumbered first sentence as subdivision (a), renumbered portion of the second sentence up to ". . . any package of cigarettes" as subdivision (b), renumbered the balance of the second sentence as paragraph (1) of subdivision (b), renumbered the third sentence as subdivision (c), added paragraph (2), (3) and (4) to subdivision (b), and added subdivision (d). Stats. 2000, Ch. 18 (SB 1038), in effect May 5, 2000, added paragraph (5) to subdivision (b).

30164. Use of machines; transfer of stamps or meters. A metering machine may be used and a meter may be stored, transferred, transported, repaired, opened, set or used only in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the board. Meters, meter register settings, or unaffixed stamps shall not be sold, exchanged or in any manner transferred by a distributor to another person without prior written approval of the board.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2315, operative July 16, 1961.

30165. Tax payment without stamps or impressions. The board by regulation may provide that the tax imposed by this part with respect to cigarettes shall be paid without the use of stamps or meter impressions in connection with a particular type of transaction.

30165.1. Master Settlement Agreement compliance. (a) The following definitions shall apply for purposes of this section:

(1) "Board" means the State Board of Equalization.

(2) "Brand family" means all styles of cigarettes sold under the same trademark and differentiated from one another by means of additional modifiers, including, but not limited to, "menthol," "lights," "kings," and "100s" and includes any brand name, alone or in conjunction with any other word, trademark, logo, symbol, motto, selling message, recognizable pattern of colors, or any other indicia of product identification identical or similar to, or identifiable with, a previously known brand of cigarettes.

(3) "Cigarette" has the same meaning as in subdivision (d) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code and includes tobacco products defined as a cigarette under that subdivision.

(4) "Distributor" has the same meaning as in Section 30011.

(5) "MSA" means the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in subdivision (e) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.

(6) "Nonparticipating manufacturer" means any tobacco product manufacturer that is not a participating manufacturer.

(7) "Participating manufacturer" has the same meaning as in subsection II(jj) of the MSA. (8) "Qualified escrow fund" has the same meaning as in subdivision (f) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.

(9) "Tobacco product manufacturer" has the same meaning as in subdivision (i) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.

(10) "Units sold" has the same meaning as in subdivision (j) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code.

(b) Every tobacco product manufacturer whose cigarettes are sold in this state, whether directly or through a distributor, retailer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries, shall execute and deliver on a form and in the manner prescribed by the Attorney General a certification to the Attorney General no later than the 30th day of April each year that, as of the date of the certification, the tobacco product manufacturer is either a participating manufacturer that has made all payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent the participating manufacturer is disputing any of the payments, or is in full compliance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, including all installment payments required by that article and this section, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. A tobacco product manufacturer located outside of the United States shall provide to the Attorney General and keep current, the names, and addresses, including electronic mail addresses, of all importers that sell or will be selling their cigarettes in this state and shall cause each importer to provide to the Attorney General a copy of a valid importer permit issued by the United States Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau, and the importer license issued by the board. The importers who sell or will be selling their cigarettes in this state shall obtain and maintain a license as an importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code. Any person who makes a certification pursuant to this subdivision that asserts the truth of any material matter that he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both the imprisonment and the fine.

(1) A participating manufacturer shall include in its certification a complete list of its brand families. The participating manufacturer shall update the list 30 days prior to any addition to or modification of its brand families by executing and delivering a supplemental certification to the Attorney General.

(2) A nonparticipating manufacturer shall include in its certification a complete list of all of its brand families, in accordance with the following requirements:

(A) Separately listing brand families of cigarettes and the number of units sold for each brand family that were sold in the state during the preceding calendar year.

(B) Separately listing all of its brand families that have been sold in the state at any time during the current calendar year.

(C) Indicating by an asterisk any brand family sold in the state during the preceding calendar year that is no longer being sold in the state as of the date of the certification.

(D) Identifying by name and address any other manufacturer, including all fabricators or makers of the brand families in the preceding or current calendar year in a form, manner, and detail as required by the Attorney General. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall update the list 30 days prior to any change in a fabricator for any brand family or any addition to or modification of its brand families by executing and delivering a supplemental certification to the Attorney General. (3) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, the certification shall further certify all of the following:

(A) That the nonparticipating manufacturer is registered to do business in the state, or has appointed a resident agent for service of process and provided notice thereof as required by subdivision (f).

(B) That the nonparticipating manufacturer has done all of the following:

(i) Established and continues to maintain a qualified escrow fund as that term is defined in subdivision (f) of Section 104556 of the Health and Safety Code and implementing regulations.

(ii) Executed a qualified escrow agreement that has been reviewed and approved by the Attorney General and that governs the qualified escrow fund.

(iii) If the nonparticipating manufacturer is not the fabricator or maker of the cigarettes, that the escrow agreement, certification, reports, and any other forms required by Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and implementing regulations are signed by the company that fabricates or makes the cigarettes and in the manner required by the Attorney General.

(C) That the nonparticipating manufacturer is in full compliance with both of the following:

(i) Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, including paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, this section, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

(ii) Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall also provide a copy of a valid, corresponding federal permit issued by the United States Treasury, Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.

(D) That the manufacturer has provided all of the following:

(i) The name, address, and telephone number of the financial institution where the nonparticipating manufacturer has established the qualified escrow fund required pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(ii) The account number of the qualified escrow fund and subaccount number for the State of California.

(iii) The amount the nonparticipating manufacturer placed in the fund for cigarettes sold in the state during the preceding calendar year, the date and amount of each deposit, and any confirming evidence or verification as may be deemed necessary by the Attorney General.

(iv) The amounts and dates of any withdrawal or transfer of funds the nonparticipating manufacturer made at any time from the fund or from any other qualified escrow fund into which it ever made escrow payments pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and all regulations promulgated thereto.

(E) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer located outside the United States, that the manufacturer has provided a declaration in a form prescribed by the Attorney General from each of its importers into the United States of any of its brand families to be sold in California, that the importer accepts joint and several liability with the nonparticipating manufacturer for all escrow deposits due in accordance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555), for all penalties assessed in accordance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and for payment of all fees, costs, attorney's fees, penalties, and refunds imposed or required under this section, including, but not limited to, all refunds resulting from the removal of the manufacturer or any of its brand families from the directory. The declaration shall appoint for the declarant a resident agent for service of process in California in accordance with subdivision (f) and affirm that it has caused every importer that will sell its tobacco products in this state to obtain and maintain a license as an importer pursuant to Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code.

(4) (A) A tobacco product manufacturer may not include a brand family in its certification unless either of the following is true:

(i) In the case of a participating manufacturer, the participating manufacturer affirms that the brand family is to be deemed to be its cigarettes for purposes of calculating its payments under the MSA for the relevant year, in the volume and shares determined pursuant to the MSA.

(ii) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, the nonparticipating manufacturer affirms that the brand family is to be deemed to be its cigarettes for purposes of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, including paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto and this section.

(B) Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or otherwise affecting the state's right to maintain that a brand family constitutes cigarettes of a different tobacco product manufacturer for purposes of calculating payments under the MSA or for purposes of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

(5) A tobacco product manufacturer shall maintain all invoices and documentation of sales and other information relied upon for the certification for a period of five years, unless otherwise required by law to maintain them for a longer period of time.

(c) Not later than June 30, 2004, the Attorney General shall develop and publish on its Internet Web site a directory listing all tobacco product manufacturers that have provided current, timely, and accurate certifications conforming to the requirements of subdivision (b) and all brand families that are listed in the certifications, except as specified below.

(1) The Attorney General may not include or retain in the directory the name or brand families of the following:

(A) Any participating manufacturer that fails to provide the required certification or to make a payment calculated by the independent auditor to be due from it under the Master Settlement Agreement except to the extent that it is disputing the payment.

(B) Any nonparticipating manufacturer that fails to provide the required certification or whose certification the Attorney General determines is not in compliance with subdivision (b), unless the Attorney General has determined that the violation has been cured to the satisfaction of the Attorney General.

(C) A tobacco product manufacturer that does not hold a valid and current manufacturer's license under Section 22979 of the Business and Professions Code, including, but not limited to, a manufacturer whose license has been revoked under subdivision (g) of Section 22979 of the Business and Professions Code.

(2) Neither a tobacco product manufacturer nor brand family shall be included or retained in the directory if the Attorney General concludes that any of the following is true:

(A) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, any escrow deposit required pursuant to Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code for any period for any brand family, whether or not listed by the nonparticipating manufacturer, has not been fully deposited into a qualified escrow fund governed by a qualified escrow agreement that has been approved by the Attorney General.

(B) Any outstanding final judgment, including interest thereon, for violations of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, this section, Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, has not been fully satisfied for the brand family and the manufacturer.

(C) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer by reason of the business plan, business history, trade connections, or compliance and payment history in California or any other state of any of the principals thereof, the nonparticipating manufacturer fails to provide reasonable assurance that it will comply with the requirements of this section, Section 30165.2, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code. As used in this section, "reasonable assurance" may include information and documentation establishing to the satisfaction of the Attorney General that a failure to pay in California or elsewhere was the result of a good faith dispute over the payment obligation.

(D) In the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, the manufacturer has knowingly failed to disclose any material information required or knowingly made any material false statements in the certification of any supporting information or documentation provided.

(E) If the manufacturer or its importer, as defined in Section 30019, engages in delivery sales and the manufacturer fails to provide or fails to cause his or her importer to provide reasonable assurances that the delivery seller has fully complied with all requirements of applicable federal and state law, including, but not limited to, all of the following:

(i) The Prevent All Cigarette Trafficking Act of 2009 (PACT Act; Public Law 111-154).

(ii) The Jenkins Act (Chapter 10A (commencing with Section 375) of Title 15 of the United States Code).

(iii) The requirements of Section 30101.7.

(iv) All stamping, marking, and labeling requirements, including, but not limited to, Section 30163, and any other information or indicia requirements imposed by state or federal law.

(v) All other state laws generally applicable to the sale and distribution of tobacco products.

(3) The Attorney General shall update the directory as necessary in order to correct mistakes and to add or remove a tobacco product manufacturer or brand family to keep the directory in conformity with the requirements of this section, Section 30165.2, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code. The Attorney General shall promptly provide distributors and wholesalers with written notice of each tobacco product manufacturer and brand family that the Attorney General has added to, or excluded or removed from the list.

(A) When the Attorney General's office informs a manufacturer that it will recommend to the Attorney General that the manufacturer or brand family be delisted for cause, the office shall transmit by electronic mail, or other practicable means, a copy of the notice of the pending administrative action to the manufacturer, all licensed distributors and wholesalers, and to any retailer or other person who has provided an electronic mail address to the Attorney General for this purpose.

(B) A licensed distributor may purchase, stamp, or sell, and a licensed wholesaler may purchase or sell, products affected by the notice of pending administrative action for no more than 40 days following issuance of the notice of pending administrative action. Prior to the sale of a product affected by the notice of pending administrative action, and no later than seven days after the notice of pending administrative action, a distributor or wholesaler shall notify each of its existing customers of the pending administrative action.

(C) Upon removal from the directory of a tobacco product manufacturer or brand family, the Attorney General shall transmit by electronic mail, or other practicable means, a notice of removal, to the manufacturer, all licensed distributors and wholesalers, and to any retailer or other person who has provided an electronic mail address to the Attorney General for this purpose. No later than seven days after issuance of the notice of removal, a distributor or wholesaler shall provide each of its existing customers a copy of the notice of removal.

(D) Notwithstanding subdivision (e), a licensed retailer may possess, transport, and sell the tax-stamped cigarettes of a manufacturer or brand family affected by the notice of removal for no more than 60 days following the effective date of the manufacturer or brand family's removal from the directory.

(E) After 60 days following removal from the directory the cigarettes of a manufacturer or brand family identified in the notice of removal are contraband and are subject to seizure and destruction under subdivision (e) of Section 30436 and subdivision (b) of Section 30449, and may not be purchased or sold in California.

(F) In the event the Attorney General declines to remove a tobacco product manufacturer or brand family from the directory following issuance of the notice of pending administrative action described in subparagraph (A), the Attorney General shall notify by electronic mail, or other practicable means, the manufacturer, all licensed distributors and wholesalers, and any retailer or other person who has provided an electronic mail address to the Attorney General for this purpose, of the decision not to pursue administrative action. No later than seven days after issuance of this notice, a distributor or wholesaler shall provide each of its existing customers a copy of this notice, and the purchase, stamping, and sales restrictions imposed by subparagraph (B) shall have no further effect.

(G) Upon request of the Attorney General, the board shall provide the Attorney General all electronic mail addresses for licensed distributors, wholesalers, and retailers in its possession.

(4) Newly qualified and elevated-risk nonparticipating manufacturers shall file with the Attorney General a surety bond in a form and manner directed by the Attorney General.

(A) Notwithstanding any other law, if a newly qualified nonparticipating manufacturer is to be listed in the directory or if the Attorney General reasonably determines that any nonparticipating manufacturer who has filed a certification pursuant to subdivision (b) poses an elevated risk for noncompliance with this section, Section 30165.2, Part 13 (commencing with Section 30001) of Division 2, or with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, neither the nonparticipating manufacturer nor any of its brand families shall be included in the directory unless and until the nonparticipating manufacturer, or its United States importer that undertakes joint and several liability for the manufacturer's performance in accordance with subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), has posted a bond in accordance with this section.

(B) The bonds shall be posted by a corporate surety located within the United States in an amount equal to the greater of fifty thousand dollars ($50,000) or the amount of escrow the manufacturer in either its current or predecessor form was required to deposit as a result of the largest of its most recent five calendar year's sales in California. The bond shall be written in favor of the State of California and shall be conditioned on the performance by the nonparticipating manufacturer, or its United States importer that undertakes joint and several liability for the manufacturer's performance in accordance with subparagraph (E) of paragraph (3) of subdivision (b), of all its duties and obligations under this section and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and payment of all state taxes for the sale or distribution of cigarettes and tobacco products in this state during the year in which the certification is filed and the next succeeding calendar year. The bond may be drawn upon by the board or the Attorney General to cover unsatisfied escrow obligations, tax obligations, claims for penalties, claims for monetary damages, and any other liabilities that are subject to the licensee's claim of sovereign immunity against enforcement of the laws specified above.

(C) A nonparticipating manufacturer may be deemed to pose an elevated risk for noncompliance with this section, Section 30165.2, or Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code if:

(i) The nonparticipating manufacturer or any affiliate thereof has failed to deposit fully the amount due on an escrow obligation with respect to any state at any time during the calendar year or within the past three calendar years unless either of the following occur:

(I) The manufacturer did not underdeposit knowingly or recklessly and the manufacturer promptly cured the underdeposit within 180 days of notice of it.

(II) The underdeposit or lack of deposit is the subject of a good faith dispute as documented to the satisfaction of the Attorney General and the underdeposit is cured within 180 days of entry of a final order establishing the amount of the required escrow deposit.

(ii) Any state has removed the manufacturer or its brands or brand families or an affiliate or any of the affiliate's brands or brand families from the state's tobacco directory for noncompliance with a state escrow deposit or tobacco tax law at any time during the calendar year or within the past three calendar years.

(iii) Any state has litigation pending against, or an unsatisfied final judgment against, the manufacturer or any affiliate thereof for escrow or for penalties, fees, costs, refunds, or attorney's fees related to noncompliance with state escrow laws.

(iv) The nonparticipating manufacturer sells its cigarettes or tobacco products directly to consumers via remote or other non-face-to-face means.

(v) A state or federal court determining that the nonparticipating manufacturer has violated any tobacco tax or tobacco control law or engaged in unfair business practice or unfair competition.

(vi) Any state has suspended or revoked its license to engage in any aspect of tobacco business.

(vii) Any state or federal court has determined that it failed to comply with state or federal law imposing marking, labeling, and stamping requirements or requiring information to be affixed to, or contained in, the labels, markings, or packaging.

(viii) The nonparticipating manufacturer fails to submit or complete any required forms, documents, certification, or notices, in a timely manner or, to the satisfaction of the Attorney General or the State Board of Equalization.

(D) As used in this section, "newly qualified nonparticipating manufacturer" means a nonparticipating manufacturer that has not previously been listed in the California Tobacco Directory. These manufacturers may be required to post a bond in accordance with this section for the first three years of their listing, or longer if they have been determined to pose an elevated risk for noncompliance.

(5) The Attorney General shall provide each tobacco product manufacturer that has provided all certifications and other information required by this section with a written acknowledgment of receipt within seven business days after receiving the certifications and other materials. Each tobacco product manufacturer shall provide to each distributor to whom it sells or ships cigarettes, or any tobacco product defined as a cigarette under this section, a copy of each acknowledgment of receipt provided to the manufacturer by the Attorney General. Upon request, the Attorney General shall provide any distributor with a copy of the most recent written acknowledgment of receipt provided to the tobacco product manufacturer.

(d) (1) The Attorney General may exclude or remove from the list required by subdivision (c) a tobacco product manufacturer or any of its brand families, based on a determination that the manufacturer is not a participating manufacturer that has provided the required certification and made all payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due from it under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent that it is disputing the payment, or in the case of a nonparticipating manufacturer, has not made all escrow payments required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, in accordance with that subdivision, or has not complied with this section, Section 30165.2, or the tobacco product manufacturer has not complied with any state or federal delivery sales laws applicable to sales and distribution of tobacco products in this state. Before the exclusion or removal may take effect, the Attorney General shall notify the manufacturer of this determination.

(2) Upon receiving notice from the Attorney General pursuant to paragraph (1), the manufacturer may challenge the Attorney General's determination as erroneous, and may seek relief from the determination, by filing a petition for writ of mandate pursuant to Section 1085 of the Code of Civil Procedure for that purpose in the Superior Court for the County of Sacramento, or as otherwise provided by law. The filing of the petition shall operate to stay the Attorney General's determination, if the participating manufacturer has made all payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due from it under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent that it is disputing payment, or if a nonparticipating manufacturer has paid into escrow the full amount of any deficiency in the escrow payments that the Attorney General has determined the tobacco product manufacturer was required to have made under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, including any installment payments required under subdivision (h), pending final resolution of the action.

(e) (1) No person shall affix, or cause to be affixed, any tax stamp or meter impression to a package of cigarettes pursuant to subdivision (a) of Section 30163, or pay the tax levied pursuant to Sections 30123 and 30131.2 on a tobacco product defined as a cigarette under this section, unless the brand family of the cigarettes or tobacco product, and the tobacco product manufacturer that makes or sells the cigarettes or tobacco product, are included on the list posted by the Attorney General pursuant to subdivision (c).

(2) No person shall sell, offer, or possess for sale in this state, ship or otherwise distribute into or within this state or import for personal consumption in this state, cigarettes of a tobacco product manufacturer or brand family not included in the directory.

(3) No person shall do either of the following:

(A) Sell or distribute cigarettes that the person knows or should know are intended to be distributed in violation of paragraphs (1) and (2).

(B) Acquire, hold, own, possess, transport, import, or cause to be imported cigarettes that the person knows or should know are intended to be distributed in violation of paragraphs (1) and (2).

(f) (1) Any nonresident or foreign nonparticipating manufacturer that has not registered to do business in the state as a foreign corporation or business entity shall, as a condition precedent to having its brand families listed or retained in the directory, appoint and continually engage without interruption the services of an agent in this state to act as agent for the service of process on whom all process, and any action or proceeding against it concerning or arising out of the enforcement of this section, Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, may be served in any manner authorized by law. This service shall constitute legal and valid service of process on the nonparticipating manufacturer. The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide the name, address, telephone number, and proof of the appointment and availability of the agent to the satisfaction of the Attorney General. Any nonparticipating manufacturer located outside of the United States shall, as an additional condition precedent to having its brand families listed or retained in the directory, cause each of its importers into the United States of any of its brand families to be sold in California to appoint and continually engage without interruption the services of an agent in the state in accordance with this section. All obligations of a nonparticipating manufacturer imposed by this section with respect to appointment of its agent shall likewise apply to importers with respect to appointment of their agents.

(2) The nonparticipating manufacturer shall provide notice to the Attorney General 30 calendar days prior to termination of the authority of an agent and shall further provide proof to the satisfaction of the Attorney General of the appointment of a new agent no less than five calendar days prior to the termination of an existing agent appointment. In the event an agent terminates an agency appointment, the nonparticipating manufacturer shall notify the Attorney General of said termination within five calendar days and shall include proof to the satisfaction of the Attorney General of the appointment of a new agent.

(3) Any nonparticipating manufacturer whose products are sold in this state without appointing or designating an agent as herein required shall be deemed to have appointed the Secretary of State as its agent, as provided in Section 2105 of the Corporations Code, and may be proceeded against in courts of this state by service of process upon the Secretary of State. However, the appointment of the Secretary of State pursuant to this provision as the agent for service of process does not satisfy the condition precedent specified in paragraph (1) to having its brand families listed or retained in the directory.

(4) For each nonparticipating manufacturer located outside the United States, each importer into the United States of any nonparticipating manufacturer's brand families that are sold in California shall bear joint and several liability with the nonparticipating manufacturer for deposit of all escrow due under Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, payment of all costs and attorney's fees imposed in accordance with Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, and payment of all fees, costs, attorney's fees, penalties, and refunds imposed or required by this section or Section 30165.2. Each manufacturer and importer, that sells or intends to sell cigarettes in California, shall obtain and maintain a license as a manufacturer or importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code. Each nonparticipating manufacturer and its importers shall report in the manner, including electronically, as required by the Attorney General, all cigarettes and tobacco products sold in this state each month, including, but not limited to, the quantity, including tobacco weight and number of cigarette sticks, the wholesale cost and sale price of each brand family. Any manufacturer or importer that fails to file the report as required by the Attorney General shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of either of the following:

(A) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes, loose tobacco and smokeless tobacco, or tobacco products defined as cigarettes under this section that were not reported as required by the Attorney General.

(B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(g) (1) Not later than 25 days after the end of each calendar quarter, and more frequently if so directed by the board or the Attorney General, each distributor shall submit any information as the board or Attorney General requires to facilitate compliance with this section, including, but not limited to, a list by brand family of the total number of cigarettes or, in the case of roll your own, the total ounces for which the distributor affixed stamps during the previous calendar month or otherwise paid the tax due. The distributor shall maintain, and shall make available to the board and the Attorney General, all invoices and documentation of sales of all nonparticipating manufacturer cigarettes and any other information relied upon in reporting to the board and the Attorney General for a period of five years.

(2) Notwithstanding Section 30455, the board is authorized to disclose to the Attorney General any information received under this part for purposes of determining compliance with and enforcing the provisions of this section, Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto. The board and Attorney General shall share with each other the information received under this section, and may share that information with other federal, state, or local agencies, only for purposes of enforcement of this section, Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, or corresponding laws of other states.

(3) At any time, the Attorney General may require from the nonparticipating manufacturer proof from the financial institution in which the manufacturer has established a qualified escrow fund for the purpose of compliance with Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, of the amount of money in the fund being held on behalf of the state and the dates of deposits, and listing the amounts of all withdrawals from the fund and the dates thereof.

(4) In addition to the information required to be submitted pursuant to this section or Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto, the Attorney General may require a retailer, wholesaler, distributor, importer, or tobacco product manufacturer to submit any additional information, including, but not limited to, samples of the packaging or labeling of each brand family, as is necessary to enable the Attorney General to determine whether a tobacco product manufacturer or importer has complied, is in compliance, and, if applicable pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), has provided reasonable assurance that it will comply or continue to comply with this section, Section 30165.2, Part 8 (commencing with Section 14950) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, and Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, and any regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

(h) To promote compliance with this section, the Attorney General may promulgate regulations requiring a tobacco product manufacturer subject to the requirements of paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 to make the escrow deposits required in quarterly or other specified installments during the year in which the sales covered by the deposits are made. The Attorney General may require production of information sufficient to enable the Attorney General to determine the adequacy of the amount of the installment deposit.

(i) (1) In addition to any other civil or criminal penalty provided by law, upon a finding that a person has violated subdivision (e), or paragraph (1) of subdivision (g), the board may take the following actions:

(A) In the case of the first offense, the board may revoke or suspend the license or licenses issued to the person by the board, pursuant to the procedures applicable to the revocation of a license set forth in Sections 30148 and 30158, and Section 22980.3 of the Business and Professions Code. Each stamp affixed and each sale or offer to sell cigarettes in violation of subdivision (e) shall constitute a separate violation.

(B) In the case of a second or any subsequent offense that the board determines to be a violation of subdivision (e), in addition to the action authorized under subparagraph (A), the board may impose a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of either of the following:

(i) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes or tobacco products defined as cigarettes under this section.

(ii) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2) A distributor in any action for a violation of subdivision (e) shall have a defense provided that either of the following is true:

(A) At the time of the violation, the cigarettes or tobacco products claimed to be the subject of the alleged violation belonged to a brand family that was included on the list required by subdivision (c).

(B) At the time of the violation, the distributor possessed a copy of the Attorney General's most recent written acknowledgment of receipt of the certifications and other information required as a condition of including the brand family on the list required by subdivision (c).

(3) The defense described in subparagraph (B) of paragraph (2) is not available to a distributor if, at the time of the violation, the Attorney General had provided the distributor with written notice that the brand family had been excluded or removed from the list required by subdivision (c), or the distributor failed to provide the Attorney General with a current address for the receipt of written notice through electronic mail as required by paragraph (4) of subdivision (c).

(4) A violation of paragraph (3) of subdivision (e) shall constitute a misdemeanor.

(j) If a distributor affixes a stamp or meter impression to a package of cigarettes under subdivision (a) of Section 30163, or pays the tax levied under Sections 30123 and 30131.2 on a tobacco product defined as a cigarette under this section, during the period between the date on which the brand family of the cigarettes or tobacco product was excluded or removed from the list required by subdivision (c) and the date on which the distributor received notice of the exclusion or removal under paragraph (4) of subdivision (c), then both of the following shall apply:

(1) The distributor shall be entitled to a credit for the tax paid by the distributor with respect to the cigarette or tobacco product to which the stamp or meter impression was affixed, or the tax paid during that period. The distributor shall comply with regulations prescribed by the board regarding refunds and credits that are adopted pursuant to Section 30177.5. If the distributor has sold the cigarette or tobacco product to a wholesaler or retailer, and has received payment from the wholesaler or retailer, the distributor shall provide the credit to the wholesaler or retailer.

(2) The brand family may not be included on or restored to the list until the tobacco product manufacturer has reimbursed the distributor for the cost to the distributor of the cigarettes or tobacco product to which the stamp or meter impression was affixed, or the tax paid, during that period.

(k) Any tobacco product manufacturer that falsely represents any of the following to any person shall be guilty of a misdemeanor for each false representation:

(1) Any information required under subdivision (b).

(2) That the tobacco product manufacturer is a participating manufacturer.

(3) That the tobacco product manufacturer or any other person has made any or all escrow payments required by paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, if applicable to the manufacturer.

(4) That it has complied with subdivision (b), or with paragraph (1) of subdivision (g), if applicable to the manufacturer.

(l) A violation of subdivision (e) shall constitute unfair competition under Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code.

(m) No person shall be issued a distributor's license, pursuant to Section 30140, unless that person has certified in writing that the person will comply fully with this section. Any person who makes a certification pursuant to this subdivision that asserts the truth of any material matter that he or she knows to be false is guilty of a misdemeanor punishable by imprisonment of up to one year in the county jail, or a fine of not more than one thousand dollars ($1,000), or both the imprisonment and the fine.

(n) For the year 2003, if the effective date of the act that added this section is later than March 16, 2003, the first report of distributors required by paragraph (1) of subdivision (g) shall be due 30 days after that effective date, the certifications by a tobacco product manufacturer described in subdivision (b) shall be due 45 days after that effective date, and the directory described in subdivision (c) shall be published or made available within 90 days after that effective date.

(o) The Attorney General may adopt rules and regulations to implement this section. The rules and regulations may establish procedures for including in the list described in subdivision (c) tobacco product manufacturers that are not participating manufacturers and were not required to make escrow payments under paragraph (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 104557 of the Health and Safety Code, for sales made during any preceding calendar year, and brand families of those manufacturers. The rules and regulations may also establish procedures for seizure and destruction of cigarettes forfeited to the state pursuant to Section 30436 or Section 30449, including, but not limited to, the state facilities that may be used for the destruction of contraband cigarettes. Nothing in this section shall affect the authority of local law enforcement and local government officials to seize and destroy contraband under existing state or local law. The regulations adopted to effect the purposes of this section are emergency regulations in accordance with Chapter 3.5 (commencing with Section 11340) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code. For purposes of that chapter, including Section 11349.6 of the Government Code, the adoption of the regulations shall be considered by the Office of Administrative Law to be necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, and general welfare. Notwithstanding subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code, the regulations shall be repealed 180 days after their effective date, unless the adopting authority or agency complies with that chapter, as provided in subdivision (e) of Section 11346.1 of the Government Code.

(p) In any action brought by the state to enforce this section, the state shall be entitled to recover the costs of investigation, expert witness fees, costs of the action, and reasonable attorney's fees.

(q) The Attorney General or his or her authorized representative shall have the authority to:

(1) Conduct audits and investigations of the following:

(A) A nonparticipating manufacturer and its importers.

(B) Exclusive distributors, retailers, stamping agents, and wholesalers, as defined in Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Profession Code, and this part.

(C) Persons or entities engaged in delivery sales as defined in Section 30101.7.

(2) Upon reasonable cause to believe that a violation of this article or of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the Business and Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, has occurred or is reasonably likely to occur, issue subpoenas, compel the attendance of witnesses, administer oaths, certify to official acts, take depositions within and without the state, as now provided by law, and compel the production of pertinent books, payrolls, accounts, papers, records, documents, and testimony relevant to investigations. If a person refuses, without good cause, to be examined or to answer a legal and pertinent question, or to produce a document or other evidence when ordered to do so by the Attorney General or his or her authorized representative, the Attorney General or his or her authorized representative may apply to the superior court of the county where the person is in attendance or located, upon affidavit, for an order returnable in no less than two nor more than five days, directing the person to show cause why he or she should not be examined, answer a legal or pertinent question or produce a document, record or other evidence. Upon the hearing, if the court determines that the person, without good cause, has refused to be examined or to answer legal or pertinent questions, or to produce a document, record, or other evidence, the court may order compliance with the subpoena and assess all costs and reasonable attorney's fees against the person. If the motion for an order is granted and the person thereafter fails to comply with the order, the court may make orders as are provided for by law. Subpoenas shall be served and witness fees and mileage paid as allowed in civil cases in the courts of the State of California.

(r) In any action regarding a violation of this article or of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the Business and Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, or of Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code, reports submitted to the board pursuant to Section 30182 or Section 22978.1, 22978.4, or 22978.5 of the Business and Professions Code, shall be admissible in evidence and shall be presumed to accurately state the number of cigarettes stamped during the time period by the stamping agent that submitted the report absent a contrary showing by the nonparticipating manufacturer or importer. Nothing in this section shall be construed as limiting or otherwise affecting the right of the state to maintain that reports are incorrect or do not accurately reflect a nonparticipating manufacturer's sales in the state during the time period in question, and the presumption shall not apply in the event the state does so maintain.

(s) In any action regarding a violation of this article or of Article 3 (commencing with Section 104555) of Chapter 1 of Part 3 of Division 103 of the Health and Safety Code, or of Section 22963 of the Business and Professions Code, or of Section 30101.7, or of Section 17200 of the Business and Professions Code, sufficient notice of the action to the alleged violator shall be given by complaint written in the English language. The state shall not be required to bear any expense of translating complaint into another language.

(t) Unless otherwise expressly provided, the remedies or penalties provided by this section are cumulative to each other and to the remedies or penalties available under all other laws of this state.

History.—Added by Stats. 2003, Ch. 890 (AB 71), in effect January 1, 2004. Stats. 2010, Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011, added "that has made all payments calculated by the independent auditor to be due under the Master Settlement Agreement, except to the extent the participating manufacturer is disputing any of the payments" after "either a participating manufacturer" in the first sentence, added the second sentence that states, "A tobacco product manufacturer located…Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code", added "both of the following:" after "full compliance with" in subparagraph (3)(C), designated the balance of former subparagraph (3)(C) that states, "Article 3 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code…promulgated pursuant thereto." as subparagraph (3)(C)(i), added subparagraph (3)(C)(ii), added subparagraph (3)(E), to subdivision (b); deleted "of" after "directory listing", substituted "the following:" for "any" after "brand families of" in paragraph (1), lettered balance of former paragraph (1) as subparagraph (1)(B), added subparagraph (1)(A), added "Any" before "nonparticipating manufacturer" in relettered subparagraph (1)(B), added subparagraph (1)(C), substituted "any" for "either" after "concludes that" in paragraph (2), added "Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2," after "this section," in subparagraph (2)(B), added subparagraphs (2)(C) – (E), added ",Section 30165.2…..of the Health and Safety Code" after "requirements of this section" in the first sentence and "and wholesalers" after "provide distributors" in the second sentence of paragraph (3), deleted former paragraph (4), added subparagraphs (A)–(G) to paragraph (3), added paragraph (4), including subparagraphs (A) – (D), to subdivision (c); added "that has provided the required certification" after "is not a participating manufacturer", added "made all payments calculated….case of a nonparticipating manufacturer," after "required certification and" and added ", Section 30165.2, or the tobacco product manufacturer …products in this state" after "complied with this section" in the first sentence of paragraph (1), added "participating manufacturer has made all payments….,or if a nonparticipating" after "Attorney General’s determination, if the" in paragraph (2), of subdivision (d); added "ship or otherwise distribute into or within this state" after "in this state in paragraph (2) of subdivision (e); added the fourth and fifth sentences to paragraph (1) and added paragraph (4), including subparagraphs (A) – (B), to subdivision (f); added a comma after "number of cigarettes or" and deleted "for those cigarettes" after "paid the tax due" in the first sentence of paragraph (1), added ",Sections 30101.7 and 30165.2," after "provisions of this section" in the first sentence of paragraph (2), deleted "board or the" after "promulgated pursuant thereto, the", added "importer," after "wholesaler, distributor,", added "or importer has complied," after "tobacco product manufacturer", added ", and, if applicable pursuant to subparagraph (C) of paragraph (2) of subdivision (c), has provided reasonable assurance that it will comply or continue to comply" after "is in compliance", and substituted "Section 30165.2, Part 8 (commencing with Section 14950) of Division 12 of the Health and Safety Code, and" after "with this section," for "or" in paragraph (4), of subdivision (g); substituted "person" for "distributor" after "upon a finding that a" in paragraph (1), substituted "issued to the person by the board," for "of the distributor" after license or licenses, added "Sections 30148 and 30158, and" after "license set forth in", substituted "30148" for "22980.3 of the Business and Professions Code." after 30158, and Section", and added the last sentence to subparagraph (1)(A), added "that the board determines to be a violation of subdivision (e)" after "subsequent offense" in subparagraph (1)(B), in subdivision (i); added subdivisions (q) – (s); and redesignated former subdivision (q) as subdivision (t).

Note.—SEC. 9. of Stats. 2010. Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011, states, The Legislature finds and declares all of the following:

(a) Cigarette smoking and tobacco products present serious public health concerns to the state and to the citizens of the state.

(b) Cheap cigarettes and tobacco products are being made available through the evasion of state taxes, fees, payments, and deposits required for sales of cigarettes and tobacco products in this state.

(c) Cheap cigarettes and tobacco products pose a public health hazard because their lower price makes them more accessible and affordable to youth to become addicted to smoking and tobacco products.

(d) It is the policy of the state to require that cigarettes and tobacco products be sold at prices that reflect the payment of all state taxes, fees, payments, and deposits required by law on sales of cigarettes and tobacco products in this state in order to prevent the public health hazard posed by cheap cigarettes and tobacco products, especially to our youth.

(e) The amendments made to paragraph (2) of subdivision (e) of Section 30165.1 of the Revenue and Taxation Code by Section 7 of this act are declaratory of, and do not constitute a change in, existing law.

Note.—SEC. 10. of Stats. 2010, Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011, states: "Nothing in this act preempts or supersedes any local tobacco control law or ordinance other than those laws or ordinances that are related to the collection of state taxes. Local licensing laws or ordinances may provide for the suspension or revocation of licenses issued by a local government or agency for a violation of the laws imposed under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law (Part 13 (commencing with Section 30001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code)."

30165.2. Federal returns and reports. (a) For purposes of this section, "applicable returns" means the following returns or reports relating to cigarettes that are filed or required to be filed with the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau of the United States Department of Treasury (TTB), the federal Department of Homeland Security, and the United States Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) after the effective date of the act adding this section:

(1) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5000.24.

(2) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5210.5.

(3) Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau Form 5220.6.

(4) United States Customs and Border Protection Form 7501.

(5) Any successor returns or reports intended to replace the forms specified in paragraphs (1) to (4), inclusive.

(b) As a condition of selling cigarettes in the state, every tobacco product manufacturer, as defined in paragraph (9) of subdivision (a) of Section 30165.1, whose cigarettes are to be sold in the state whether directly or through a distributor, importer, retailer, or similar intermediary or intermediaries shall, at the election of tobacco product manufacturer, either:

(1) Submit to the Attorney General a true and correct copy of each and every applicable return of the tobacco product manufacturer.

(2) Submit to the United States Treasury a request or consent under Internal Revenue Code Section 6103(c) authorizing the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau to disclose the applicable returns of manufacturer to the Attorney General.

(c) A foreign tobacco product manufacturer whose cigarettes are imported into the United States by an importer or importers shall submit, or shall cause each of its importers to submit, to the Attorney General and the board both of the following:

(1) Each and every applicable return, form, or report filed with TTB and CBP that includes any information about cigarettes of that foreign tobacco product manufacturer imported into the United States.

(2) A report of the sales of each brand family in this state in the form and manner specified by the Attorney General or the board.

(d) A foreign tobacco manufacturer shall also cause every importer who will sell its cigarettes in this state to obtain and maintain a license as an importer in compliance with Division 8.6 (commencing with Section 22970) of the Business and Professions Code.

(e) The Attorney General and the board shall not disclose any applicable returns or any information contained therein, except as necessary to carry out the functions and duties of the Department of Justice or board, or as provided in subdivision (f).

(f) The Attorney General and the board may compile data on cigarette shipments from the applicable returns and may share data with other states that are signatories to the Master Settlement Agreement, as defined in paragraph (5) of subdivision (a) of Section 30165.1, provided that states impose or agree to provide protections against disclosure of the applicable returns, or any information from applicable returns, that are equivalent to the protections provided under subdivision (e).

(g) A tobacco product manufacturer who does not comply with the requirements of subdivisions (b), (c), and (d) shall, after 30 days notice by the Attorney General or the board to the tobacco product manufacturer of the failure to comply, be removed, along with its brand families, from the tobacco directory unless the tobacco product manufacturer has brought itself into compliance by the end of the 30-day period.

(h) (1) Any tobacco manufacturer or importer that intentionally provides any applicable return containing materially false information shall be liable for a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed the greater of either of the following:

(A) Five times the retail value of the cigarettes or tobacco products defined as cigarettes under this section and about which false information was provided.

(B) Five thousand dollars ($5,000).

(2) The provisions of each applicable return containing one or more false statements shall constitute a separate offense.

(i) The Attorney General may promulgate regulations to implement and carry out this section.

Note.—SEC. 9. of Stats. 2010. Ch. 265 (AB 2496), in effect January 1, 2011, states, Nothing in this act preempts or supersedes any local tobacco control law or ordinance other than those laws or ordinances that are related to the collection of state taxes. Local licensing laws or ordinances may provide for the suspension or revocation of licenses issued by a local government or agency for a violation of the laws imposed under the Cigarette and Tobacco Products Tax Law (Part 13 (commencing with Section 30001) of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code).

Article 2. Sale to Distributors

30166. Payment for stamps and settings; discount. Stamps and meter register settings shall be sold at their denominated values less 0.85 percent to licensed distributors. Payment for stamps or meter register settings shall be made at the time of purchase, provided that a licensed distributor, subject to the conditions and provisions of this article, may be permitted to defer payments therefor.

30166.1. Legislative report; evaluation of cost to apply stamps and settings. No later than July 1, 2005, the board shall submit a report to the Legislature that evaluates the average actual costs, including labor for applying indicia or impressions, bonding, warehousing, and leasing stamping equipment, including case cutters and packers, associated with applying stamps or meter impressions to cigarette packages. This report shall be updated every two years.

30167. Application for credit purchases. A licensed distributor may apply to the board to fix the maximum amount of deferred-payment purchases of stamps and meter register settings which the distributor may have unpaid at any time. Upon receipt of the application and the bond or bonds required pursuant to Section 30142, the board shall fix such amount. The board at any time may designate the sales locations where the distributor may make deferred-payment purchases of stamps and meter register settings and fix the amount of such purchases which the distributor may have unpaid at any one time with respect to purchases made at each of the designated sales locations.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2316, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1967, p. 2519, operative August 1, 1967, substituted "have unpaid at any time" for "make in any monthly period beginning with the 16th day of a calendar month and ending with the 15th day of the following calendar month" in the first sentence and substituted "have unpaid at any one time with respect to purchases made at each of" for "make within each monthly period at" in the last sentence.

30168. Due date for credit purchases. (a) Except as provided for in subdivision (c), amounts owing for stamps and meter register settings purchased on the deferred-payment basis shall be due and payable based on the distributor's election to make the payment pursuant to subdivision (b). Payment shall be made by a remittance payable to the board.

(b) A distributor shall elect to make the payment required by subdivision (a) on either a monthly, a twice-monthly, or a weekly basis. An election made pursuant to this subdivision shall remain in effect for at least one year from the date the election is made. If the board finds that good cause exists for a distributor's inability to maintain the election for the full year, the board shall authorize the distributor to make a new election, as otherwise authorized by this subdivision, prior to the expiration of the one-year period following the prior election.

(1) If a distributor elects to make the payment required by subdivision (a) on a monthly basis, the distributor shall remit the payment on or before the 25th day of the month following the month in which the stamps and meter register settings were purchased.

(2) If a distributor elects to make the payment required by subdivision (a) on a twice-monthly basis, the distributor shall make two remittances during the month following the month in which the stamps and meter register settings were purchased. The first monthly remittance shall be made on or before the fifth day of the month and shall be equal to either one-half of the total amount of those purchases of stamps and meter register settings that were made during the preceding month or the total amount of those purchases of stamps and meter register settings that were made between the first day and the 15th day of the preceding month, whichever is greater. The second monthly remittance shall be made on or before the 25th day of the month for the remainder of those purchases of stamps and meter register settings that were made in the preceding month.

(3) If a distributor elects to make the payment required by subdivision (a) on a weekly basis, the distributor shall remit the payment on or before Wednesday following the week in which the stamps and meter register settings were approved and released. Every distributor electing to make payment on a weekly basis shall provide to the board and update, as necessary, an electronic mail address for the purpose of receiving payment information, including but not limited to, amounts owing for stamps and meter register settings purchased.

(c) Amounts owing for stamps and meter register settings purchased on the deferred-payment basis without a security pursuant to subdivision (d) of Section 30142 shall be due and payable on or before Wednesday following the week in which the stamps and meter register settings were purchased. Payment shall be made by a remittance payable to the board.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2316, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1967, p. 2519, operative August 1, 1967, substituted "any calendar month, beginning with August, 1967," for "a monthly period beginning with the 16th day of a calendar month and ending with the 15th day of the following calendar month" and "20th day of the following" for "28th day of the latter" in the first sentence and added the last sentence. Stats. 1968, p. 1100, in effect November 13, 1968, substituted "25th" for "20th". Stats. 2003, Ch. 867 (AB 1666), in effect January 1, 2004, established the former sole paragraph as subdivision (a), deleted ", beginning with August, 1967," after "in any calendar month", substituted "on a monthly basis . . . meter register settings were purchased" for "on or before the 25th day of the following calendar month" after "shall be due and payable" in the first sentence, and deleted the last sentence "Amounts owing for purchases made from July 16, 1967, to and including July 31, 1967, shall be due and payable on or before August 31, 1967" of subdivision (a); and added subdivisions (b) and (c). Stats. 2006, Ch. 70 (AB 2001), in effect January 1, 2007, substituted "fifth" for "5th" after "or before the" in the second sentence of subdivision (b)(2); and deleted former subdivision (c) which stated "This section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2007, and as of that date is repealed.". Stats. 2006, Ch. 501 (AB 1749), in effect January 1, 2007, substituted "Except as provided for in subdivision (c), amounts" for "Amounts" before "owing for stamps", deleted "in any calendar month" after "deferred-payment basis", and substituted "based on the distributor's election to make the payment pursuant to subdivision (b)" for "on a monthly basis, in the manner elected pursuant to subdivision (b), during the month following the calendar month in which the stamps and meter register settings were purchased" after "due and payable", in the first sentence of subdivision (a); substituted a comma for "or" after "either a monthly", and added ", or a weekly" after "a twice-monthly", in the first sentence of the first paragraph, substituted "fifth" for "5th" after "or before the" in the second sentence of paragraph (2), and added paragraph (3) to subdivision (b); and substituted subdivision (c) for the former subdivision (c) which stated "this section shall remain in effect until January 1, 2007, and as of that date is repealed".

Note.—SEC. 9. of Stats. 2003. Ch. 867 (AB 1666), effective January 1, 2004, states, The Legislative Analyst, with assistance of, and based on information provided by, the State Board of Equalization, shall, on or before January 1, 2006, prepare a report to the Legislature of the economic impact of this act. The report shall include an evaluation of the State Board of Equalization's ability to collect cigarette tax revenues, additional revenues, if any, generated by the twice-monthly payment program, and the ability of distributors to access security bonds.

30169. Authorization of agent. A distributor shall authorize in writing those persons who may order purchases of stamps or meter register settings for the account of the distributor at a location where stamps or meter register settings are sold. The authorization shall continue in effect until written notice of revocation of the authority is delivered at the sales location in such manner as may be prescribed by the board.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2316, operative July 16, 1961.

30170. Suspension of credit. The board may suspend without prior notice a distributor's privilege to purchase stamps or meter register settings on the deferred-payment basis or may reduce the amount of permissible deferred-payment purchases fixed for the distributor, if the distributor fails to promptly pay for stamps or meter register settings when payment is due, if the bond or bonds of the distributor are canceled, become void, impaired, or unenforceable for any reason, or if in the opinion of the board, collection of any amounts unpaid or due from the distributor under this part are jeopardized.

30171. Penalty and interest. Any distributor who fails to pay any amount owing for the purchase of stamps or meter register settings within the time required, shall pay a penalty of 10 percent of the amount due in addition to the amount plus interest at the modified adjusted rate per month, or fraction thereof, established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the date on which the amount became due and payable until the date of payment.

30172. Extension of time. The board for good cause may extend for not to exceed five days the time for paying any amount owning for stamps or meter register settings purchased on the deferred-payment basis provided a request for the extension is filed with the board within or prior to the period for which the extension may be granted.

Article 3. Determinations

30173. Basis for determination; notice. If a distributor fails to make payment for stamps or meter register settings when payment is due, the board may compute and determine from any available records and information the amount required to be paid, including interest and penalties. One or more determinations may be made of the amount due for one or for more than one purchase. In making a determination the board may offset overpayments with respect to purchases of stamps or meter register settings against underpayments for purchases and interest and penalties on the underpayments. The board shall give the distributor written notice of its determination in the manner provided by Section 30206. Except in the case of fraud, every notice of a determination made under this article shall be given within three years of the due date for payment of the purchase of stamps or a meter register setting.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2317, operative July 16, 1961.

30174. Determination final. If the amount specified in the determination made under this article is not paid within 10 days after service of the notice upon the distributor, the determination becomes final unless a petition for redetermination is filed with the board within the 10-day period. The determination is due and payable when it becomes final and the amounts determined, exclusive of interest and penalties, shall bear interest at the rate prescribed by Section 30171.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2317, operative July 16, 1961.

30175. Petition for redetermination. The distributor against whom a determination is made under this article may petition for the redetermination thereof pursuant to Article 5 (commencing with Section 30241) of Chapter 4. He or she shall, however, file the petition for redetermination within the time prescribed by Section 30174 and shall, at the time of filing the petition, deposit with the board such security as it may deem necessary to insure compliance with this part. The security may be sold in the same manner as prescribed by Section 30243.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2317, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1982, Ch. 454, in effect January 1, 1983, added "(commencing with Section 30241)" after "Article 5" and deleted "of this part" after "Chapter 4" in the first sentence, and added "or she" after "He" and placed commas around the phrase "at the time of filing the petition" in the second sentence.

Article 4. Refunds

30176. Unused stamps and meter settings. The board shall, pursuant to regulations prescribed by it, refund or credit to a distributor the denominated values, less the discount given on their purchase of any unused stamps or meter register settings.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2317, operative July 16, 1961.

30176.1. Refunds; exported tax-paid tobacco products. (a) The board shall, pursuant to regulations prescribed by it, refund or credit to a distributor the tax imposed on tobacco products pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131) of Chapter 2 which is paid on the distribution of tobacco products which are shipped to a point outside the state for subsequent use or sale out of the state.

(b) This section does not apply to tobacco products delivered to the consumer in this state and subsequently taken outside the state.

30176.2. Refunds and credits; returned tobacco products. The board shall, pursuant to regulations prescribed by it, refund or credit to a distributor the tax imposed on tobacco products pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131) of Chapter 2 that is paid on the distribution of tobacco products that were returned by a customer, when the distributor refunds the entire amount the customer paid for the tobacco products either in cash or credit. For purposes of this section, refund or credit of the entire amount shall be deemed to be given when the purchase price, less rehandling and restocking costs, is refunded or credited to the customer. The amount withheld for rehandling and restocking costs may be a percentage of the sales price determined by the average cost of rehandling and restocking returned merchandise during the previous accounting cycle.

Note.—SEC. 7 of Stats. 2001, Ch. 426 (SB 312), effective October 2, 2001, states: The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers and is consistent with the purposes expressed in Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained within the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 (Proposition 99 of the November 8, 1988, general election), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained in the California Families and Children Act of 1998 (Proposition 10 of the November 3, 1998, general election).

30177. Unusable or destroyed cigarettes. The board shall, pursuant to regulations prescribed by it, refund or credit to a distributor the denominated values, less the discount given on their purchase, of stamps or meter impressions affixed to packages of cigarettes which have prior to distribution become unfit for use, unsalable or have been destroyed, or which after distribution have become unfit for use or unsalable and have been returned for credit or have been replaced, and the board has proof of that return or destruction.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2318, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1998, Ch. 815 (AB 2075), in effect September 25, 1998, added ", and the tax . . . of tobacco products," after "packages of cigarettes" and substituted "that return or destruction" for "the cigarettes not being used for smoking in this State" after "has proof of". Stats. 2001, Ch. 426 (SB 312), in effect October 2, 2001, deleted ", and the tax imposed on tobacco products that has been paid on the distribution of tobacco products," after "stamps or meter impressions affixed to packages of cigarettes".

Note.—SEC. 7 of Stats. 2001, Ch. 426 (SB 312), effective October 2, 2001, states: The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers and is consistent with the purposes expressed in Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained within the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 (Proposition 99 of the November 8, 1988, general election), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained in the California Families and Children Act of 1998 (Proposition 10 of the November 3, 1998, general election).

30177.5. Credit; stamps affixed or tax paid in violation of Attorney General certification. (a) The board shall credit to a distributor that is entitled to the credit authorized by paragraph (1) of subdivision (j) of Section 30165.1, the denominated value, less any discounts authorized by this part, of the stamps or meter impressions purchased and affixed to those packages of cigarettes that are subject to the provisions of subdivision (j) of Section 30165.1.

(b) The board shall credit to a distributor that is entitled to a credit authorized by paragraph (1) of subdivision (j) of Section 30165.1, the amount of taxes paid by that distributor, pursuant to Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131), with respect to the tobacco products that are subject to the provisions of subdivision (j) of Section 30165.1.

30178. Claim; limitation period. No refund or credit for amounts overpaid for the purchase of stamps or meter register settings shall be allowed or approved after three years from the due date for payment of the purchase for which the overpayment was made, or with respect to a determination made pursuant to this chapter, after six months from the date the determination becomes final, or after six months from the date of overpayment, whichever period expires the later, unless a claim therefor is filed with the board within such period.

History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2318, operative July 16, 1961.

30178.1. Application for refund; limitation period. Any applications for a refund under Section 30176.1 based upon the exportation of tax-paid tobacco products from this state shall be filed with the board within three months after the close of the calendar month in which the tobacco products are exported.

History.—Added by Stats. 1989, Ch. 634, in effect September 21, 1989.

30178.2. Credit in lieu of refund. In lieu of the refund of the tax on tobacco products pursuant to Section 30176.1 or Section 30176.2, a distributor eligible for that refund may elect to claim a credit against taxes imposed pursuant to this part equal to the amount which would have been refunded if a claim had been made pursuant to Section 30176.1 or Section 30176.2.

Note.—SEC. 7 of Stats. 2001, Ch. 426 (SB 312), effective October 2, 2001, states: The Legislature finds and declares that this act furthers and is consistent with the purposes expressed in Article 2 (commencing with Section 30121) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained within the Tobacco Tax and Health Protection Act of 1988 (Proposition 99 of the November 8, 1988, general election), and Article 3 (commencing with Section 30131) of Chapter 2 of Part 13 of Division 2 of the Revenue and Taxation Code, as contained in the California Families and Children Act of 1998 (Proposition 10 of the November 3, 1998, general election).

30178.3. Overpayments from levies or liens. Notwithstanding Section 30178, a refund of an overpayment of any tax, penalty, or interest collected by the board by means of levy, through the use of liens, or by other enforcement procedures, shall be approved if a claim for a refund is filed within three years of the date of an overpayment.

30179. Interest. Interest shall be computed, allowed, and paid upon any overpayment for the purchase of stamps or meter register settings at the modified adjusted rate per month established pursuant to Section 6591.5, from the 26th day of the calendar month following the period during which the overpayment was made. In addition, a refund or credit shall be made of any interest imposed upon the claimant with respect to the amount being refunded or credited.

The interest shall be paid as follows:

(a) In the case of a refund, to the 25th day of the calendar month following the date upon which the claimant, if he or she has not already filed a claim, is notified by the board that a claim may be filed or the date upon which the claim is approved by the board, whichever date is earlier.

(b) In the case of a credit, to the same date as that to which interest is computed on the tax or amount against which the credit is applied. History.—Added by Stats. 1961, p. 2318, operative July 16, 1961. Stats. 1975, Ch. 661, operative to interest accruing on or after January 1, 1976, substituted "1 percent" for "one-half of 1 percent." Stats. 1982, Ch. 5, First Extra Session, in effect May 27, 1982, substituted "adjusted . . . 19269" for "rate . . . month" before "from" in the first sentence. Stats. 1984, Ch. 1020, effective January 1, 1985, operative July 1, 1985, substituted "modified . . . month" for "adjusted annual rate," substituted "Section 6591.5" for "Section 19269." Stats. 1992, Ch. 1336, in effect January 1, 1993, substituted "from the 26th day . . . paid as follows:" for "from the due date for payment of the purchase for which the overpayment was made, but no refund or credit shall be made of any interest imposed upon the claimant with respect to the amount being refunded or credited. The interest shall be paid:" after "Section 6591.5" in the first paragraph; and substituted "25th" for "15th" in subdivision (a). Stats. 1996, Ch. 320, in effect January 1, 1997, deleted "or the date upon which the claim is certified to the State Board of Control, whichever date is the earlier" after "may be filed" in subdivision (a). Stats. 1997, Ch. 620 (SB 1102), in effect January 1, 1998, added ", if he or she has not already filed a claim," after "which the claimant" and added "or the date . . . date is earlier" after "may be filed" in subdivision (a).

30179.1. Interest; limitations. No interest shall be allowed on an overpayment of the tax on exported tobacco products which is refunded pursuant to Section 30176.1 or credited against taxes pursuant to Section 30178.2 within 90 days of the claim for the credit or refund.

Article 5. Other Provisions Applicable

30180. Other provisions applicable. Articles 2 (commencing with Section 30201), 3 (commencing with Section 30221), and 4 (commencing with Section 30241) of Chapter 4 and Sections 30185, 30362, and 30366 do not apply to amounts due or paid with respect to purchases made of stamps or meter register settings. The remedies of the state provided in Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 30301) and the provisions of Chapter 6 (commencing with Section 30361), except for Sections 30362 and 30366, apply to amounts due or paid with respect to purchases made of stamps or meter register settings.